Spa

ABSTRACT

A spa includes a shell including a plurality of water ports configured for emitting water therefrom, a first water well, and a second water well. The first and second water wells each are configured for receiving water from at least one of the plurality of water ports and for holding water therein. The second water well is separate from the first water well.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/976,918, entitled “HOT TUB WITH SUNBATHINGPLATFORM”, filed Oct. 2, 2007, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to spas in the nature of heated pools,more commonly referred to as “hot tubs”.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional heated spas, also known as hot tubs, provide certain healthbenefits to users. Such spas include primary benefits of soft tissuemassage, increased pulmonary circulation, and increased relaxation. Hottubs may be constructed as permanent structures which are set into anelevated platform or floor. Hot tubs for home use are typicallyconstructed as stand-alone units which may be set on a concrete pad orthe like at a selected location. The hot tub shell itself is typicallyvacuum formed to a desired shape, and a plurality of holes are formed inthe shell to receive a number of differently configured jets. The shellis supported on a frame, which also supports insulated sidewalls and afloor. The electronics, pumps, heaters, and plumbing are all positionedwithin the frame, out of view behind the sidewalls. For a conventionallyconfigured hot tub as described above, the vacuum formed shell typicallyis formed with a number of predefined upright seats, each accommodatinga different user during operation.

What is needed in the art is a spa having a shell with separate waterwells, configured for functions beyond traditional seats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a spa having a shell with separate waterwells, one of the water wells having a scooped configuration and beingformed by a sunbathing platform formed integral with the shell.

The invention in one form is directed to a spa including a shellincluding a plurality of water ports configured for emitting watertherefrom, a first water well, and a second water well. The first andsecond water wells each are configured for receiving water from at leastone of the plurality of water ports and for holding water therein. Thesecond water well is separate from the first water well.

The invention in another form is directed to a method of operating aspa. The method includes the steps of: providing a shell including aplurality of water ports, a first water well, and a second water well,the second water well being separate from the first water well; emittingwater from the plurality of water ports; and receiving water in thefirst and second water wells from at least one of the plurality of waterports and holding water therein.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a hot tubwith a sunbathing platform.

Another advantage is that the sunbathing platform is separate from themain water well of the hot tub.

Yet another advantage is that the sunbathing platform includes a waterwell separate from and shallower than the main water well, thus allowingthe water in the sunbathing platform water well to have a warmertemperature than the water in the main water well.

Yet another advantage is that the sunbathing platform water well has ascooped configuration which can accommodate a user lying down, inshallow water, on the sunbathing platform.

Yet another advantage is that a waterfall can be formed falling from theelevated sunbathing platform to the main water well, which can beaesthetically pleasing to users of the hot tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spa of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of parts of the spa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the spa of FIG. 1, thewater in the spa not flowing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the spa of FIG. 1, thewater in the spa flowing; and

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the spa of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6in FIG. 5, the details of the bottom portion of the spa not shown.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate one embodiment of the invention, and such exemplificationsare not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, thereis shown a spa 10 (also known as a hot tub 10) which generally includesa skirting 12, a plurality of internal parts, and a shell 14. Skirting12 provides a handsome outer covering to spa 10, as well as easy accessto internal parts of spa 10 for maintenance. These internal parts caninclude: a filtration system 21 for cleaning the water; at least onepump 16 for pumping water into the water-holding portion of shell atrelatively high flow rates and for recirculating water in shell 14passed a heater 18 and back into the water-holding portion of shell 14;at least one heater 18 for providing heated water pumped into thewater-holding portion of shell 14, plumbing system 20 (i.e., pipes) forcarrying the water to a plurality of water ports 38, 40, 42, 43 of shell14, electronics (not shown) for providing electrical power to pumps 16,heaters 18, a plurality of lights 22 and/or for controlling watertemperature, insulation (not shown), framing 65 (shown in FIG. 6), andreinforcements (not shown). The location of pump(s) 16 and heater(s) 18,as well as the design of plumbing system 20, can vary from what is shownin FIG. 2.

Shell 14 includes a main portion 24, a sunbathing platform 26, and waterports 38, 40, 42, and 43 each of which emits water therefrom intowater-holding portion of shell 14. Main portion 24 includes a firstwater well 28, which is the main water well of hot tub 10. Main waterwell 28 receives water from at least one of water ports 38, 40, 42, or43 and holds water therein. Main water well 28 includes a plurality ofuser seats 30 and a number of water ports 43. One or more water ports 43can eject a water stream through the air into main water well 28, andseveral other water ports 43 of main water well 28 can produce waterjets to massage, for instance, the body of a user.

Sunbathing platform 26 is positioned at one end of shell 14 and isadjacent main portion 24 of shell 14. Sunbathing platform 26 includes anintegral second water well 32, which has a scooped configuration.Sunbathing platform 26 is an elongate platform and is configured suchthat a user lies crosswise along one end of hot tub 10. Sunbathingplatform 26 also includes two headrests 34 positioned at oppositelongitudinal ends of sunbathing platform 26. As such, a user may lay ineither orientation, depending upon the position of the sun or desires ofthe user.

Second water well 32 receives water from at least one of water ports 38,40, or 42 and holds water therein. Second water well 32 is separate fromfirst water well 28. As such, first and second water wells 28 and 32 canbe separately filled and can hold water independent of each other, asshown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

Sunbathing platform 26 includes horizontal waterfall slots 38 along alongitudinal side 36 of sunbathing platform 26, as well as a pluralityof water ports 40 between two horizontal waterfall slots 38. Water fromslots 38 adds to the visual attractiveness of sunbathing platform 26, asshown in FIG. 5. Water downwardly discharged from ports 40 can bevisually observed by a user, which may be aesthetically appealing tosome users. Along these same lines, sunbathing platform 26 can alsoinclude at least one water port 42 that directs an arching stream ofwater 45 over at least a substantial portion of sunbathing platform 26and into main water well 28, as shown in FIG. 5.

Sunbathing platform 26 includes an intervening wall 44 forming at leastpart of a longitudinal side of sunbathing platform 26 which is oppositelongitudinal side 36. Main water well 28 and sunbathing platform waterwell 32 are positioned relative to each other such that sunbathingplatform water well 32 holds water which communicates with water in mainwater well 28 when water in sunbathing platform water well 32 flows overintervening wall 44, as shown in FIG. 6. Sunbathing platform water well32 is elevated relative to main water well 28 and is configured forforming a waterfall 48 from sunbathing platform water well 32 to mainwater well 28. In being elevated relative to main water well 28,sunbathing platform water well 32 has a bottom extent (the lowest extentof well 32) which is positioned above a bottom wall 50 (or floor 50) ofmain water well 28 and an upper water level 49 which is positioned abovean upper water level 47 of main water well 28.

Intervening wall 44 in part separates sunbathing platform 26 from mainwater well 28. During operation of hot tub 10, when sunbathing platformwater well 32 is filled to the extent that the height of the water heldby sunbathing platform water well begins to exceed the height ofintervening wall 44, water of sunbathing platform 26 spills overintervening wall 44 and into main water well 28. Between interveningwall 44 and main water well 28, the water can free-fall through space tomain water well 28 and/or descend down, at least partly, a ramped walljoining intervening wall with main water well and into main water well28. FIG. 5 shows water flowing out of horizontal slots 38 and in anarching stream out of port 42. Further, lines 51 in FIG. 5 show wherewater flows over intervening wall 44 when water in water well 32 flowsover wall 44; it is understood, however, that water in well 32 has notyet reached a height to flow over wall 44. To further define and focuswaterfall 48, intervening wall 44 can include a first upper surface 56and a second upper surface 58. First and second upper surfaces 56, 58are formed integrally with one another; as such, first and second uppersurfaces 56, 58 are monolithic relative to one another. Intervening wall44 actually has two second upper surfaces 58; the two second uppersurfaces 58 are spaced apart from one another with first upper surface56 therebetween. First upper surface 56 is lower than second uppersurfaces 58 so as to allow water to flow from second water well 32 tofirst water well 28. Alternatively, upper surfaces 56 and 58 ofintervening wall 44 can be level with one another (not shown) such thatneither upper surface 56 or 58 is lower than the other upper surface 56or 58.

Shell 14 can further include a first wall 60 and a second wall 62, firstand second walls 60, 62 converging toward one another as each of firstand second walls 60 and 62 runs from sunbathing platform 26 to mainwater well 28. Walls 60 and 62 can mirror one another. First and secondwalls 60 and 62 can appear as rounded ridges formed on shell 14, asshown in the drawings. First and second walls 60 and 62 can be higherthan intervening wall 44 and form part of the water barrier (in additionto intervening wall 44), near longitudinal ends of sunbathing platform26, between sunbathing platform 26 and main water well 28. First andsecond walls 60 and 62 can also form space dividers 60 and 62 betweensunbathing platform 26 and seats 30 in main water well 28 adjacentsunbathing platform 26, thus providing in part an element of personalspace or privacy to sunbathing platform 26 and these seats 30 in mainwater well 28. First and second walls 60 and 62 each can also form aguide 60, 62 for guiding water of waterfall 48 as water falls to mainwater well 28. FIG. 6 shows waterfall 48 striking guide walls 60 and 62and being guided thereby. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 6 omits thebottom portion of hot tub 10 but shows the outer contour of this bottomportion in broken lines.

Shell 14 can further include a plurality of lights 22. Lights 22 can beformed from light emitting diodes (LED). Lights 22 can, for instance, becolored and provide an aesthetically pleasing environment to the hot tubuser, as well as illumination to the user.

Shell 14 can further include a digital panel 64. Digital panel 64 candisplay various functions of hot tub 10 with scrolling text, remindingthe user to check water chemistry, clean a filter, change water, and thelike.

Shell 14 (such as main portion 24 of shell 14) can further include awater outlet 66 associated with filtration system 21 of hot tub 10. Assuch, water can exit main water well 28 through water outlet 66 andproceed to be filtered via filtration system 21 and ultimatelyrecirculated back into the interior of shell 14 to be enjoyed by a user.

Shell can further include at least one lever 68 for controlling, forexample, water ports 40 and/or 42.

In use, water ports 38, 40, 42, 43 can be activated such that sunbathingplatform water well 32 and main water well 28 each receives and holdswater from corresponding water ports 38, 40, 42, 43. A user can lie insunbathing platform water well 32. Water from sunbathing platform 26 canflow over intervening wall 44 of sunbathing platform 26 such thatwaterfall 48 is formed between the upper surface 56 of intervening wall44 and main water well 28.

The present invention further provides a method of operating spa 10, themethod including the steps of providing, emitting, and receiving. Theproviding step provides shell 14 including water ports 38, 40, 42, 43,first water well 28, and second water well 32, second water well 32being separate from first water well 28. The emitting step emits waterfrom water ports 38, 40, 42, and/or 43. The receiving step receiveswater in first and second water wells 28, 32 from at least one of thewater ports 38, 40, 42, 43 and holds water therein. Shell 14 includessunbathing platform 26 including second water well 32, which has ascooped configuration. The method can further include the step ofcommunicating water in second water well 32 with water in first waterwell 28 when the water in second water 32 well flows over interveningwall 44 of sunbathing platform 26. The method can further include thestep of forming a waterfall 48 from second water well 32 to first waterwell 28, second water well 32 being elevated relative to first waterwell 28. Shell 14 can include first wall 60 and second wall 62, firstand second walls 60, 62 converging toward one another as each of firstand second walls 60, 62 runs from sunbathing platform 26 to first waterwell 28, first and second walls 60, 62 guiding water of the waterfall48. Sunbathing platform 26 includes intervening wall 44, which caninclude first upper surface 56 and second upper surface 58, first uppersurface 56 being lower than second upper surface 58 so as to allow waterto flow from second water well 32 to first water well 28. Water portscan include a plurality of horizontal waterfall slots 38 which areassociated with sunbathing platform 26. The method can further includethe step of directing an arching stream of water 45, using at least onewater port 42 of the plurality of water ports 38, 40, 42, 43, over atleast a substantial portion of sunbathing platform 26 and into firstwater well 28.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A spa, comprising: a shell including a plurality of water portsconfigured for emitting water therefrom, a first water well, and asecond water well, said first and second water wells each configured forreceiving water from at least one of said plurality of water ports andfor holding water therein, said second water well being separate fromsaid first water well.
 2. The spa of claim 1, wherein said shellincludes a sunbathing platform including said second water well, saidsecond water well having a scooped configuration.
 3. The spa of claim 2,wherein said sunbathing platform includes an intervening wall, saidfirst and second water wells being positioned relative to each othersuch that said second water well holds water which communicates withwater in said first water well when said water in said second water wellflows over said intervening wall.
 4. The spa of claim 3, wherein saidsecond water well is elevated relative to said first water well and isconfigured for forming a waterfall from said second water well to saidfirst water well.
 5. The spa of claim 4, wherein said shell includes afirst wall and a second wall, said first and second walls convergingtoward one another as each of said first and second walls runs from saidsunbathing platform to said first water well, said first and secondwalls each forming a guide for guiding water of said waterfall.
 6. Thespa of claim 2, wherein said sunbathing platform includes an interveningwall including a first upper surface and a second upper surface, saidfirst upper surface being lower than said second upper surface so as toallow water to flow from said second water well to said first waterwell.
 7. The spa of claim 2, wherein said plurality of water portsincludes a plurality of horizontal waterfall slots which are associatedwith said sunbathing platform.
 8. The spa of claim 2, wherein saidplurality of water ports includes at least one water port configured fordirecting an arching stream of water over at least a substantial portionof said sunbathing platform and into said first water well.
 9. A methodof operating a spa, said method comprising the steps of: providing ashell including a plurality of water ports, a first water well, and asecond water well, said second water well being separate from said firstwater well; emitting water from said plurality of water ports; andreceiving water in said first and second water wells from at least oneof said plurality of water ports and holding water therein.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein said shell includes a sunbathing platformincluding said second water well, said second water well having ascooped configuration.
 11. The method of claim 10, further including thestep of communicating water in said second water well with water in saidfirst water well when said water in said second water well flows over anintervening wall of said sunbathing platform.
 12. The method of claim11, further including the step of forming a waterfall from said secondwater well to said first water well, said second water well beingelevated relative to said first water well.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein said shell includes a first wall and a second wall, said firstand second walls converging toward one another as each of said first andsecond walls runs from said sunbathing platform to said first waterwell, said first and second walls guiding water of said waterfall. 14.The method of claim 10, wherein said sunbathing platform includes anintervening wall including a first upper surface and a second uppersurface, said first upper surface being lower than said second uppersurface so as to allow water to flow from said second water well to saidfirst water well.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality ofwater ports includes a plurality of horizontal waterfall slots which areassociated with said sunbathing platform.
 16. The method of claim 10,further including the step of directing an arching stream of water,using at least one water port of said plurality of water ports, over atleast a substantial portion of said sunbathing platform and into saidfirst water well.